Nett Warrior Assured Global Positioning System (A-GPS)

Nett Warrior Assured Global Positioning System (A-GPS) Agency: Department of the Army Office: Army Contracting Command Location: ACC-APG - Aberdeen Division D Solicitation Number: W91CRB-17-NWTR-A-GPS-RFI Notice Type: Sources Sought Synopsis: This is a Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought notice in regards to the Nett Warrior Assured Global Positioning System (A-GPS). This is NOT a Request for Proposal and no award will be made as a result of this request. All interested companies are encouraged to respond to this notice. The Army Contracting Command is issuing this RFI on behalf of Nett Warrior. The Government is not imposing a page limit to the response; however, to assure each response receives proper consideration it is recommended that the size should not exceed 15 pages (not including supporting documentation). If supporting documentation is necessary, please indicate which portions are relevant to this RFI. Technical Requirements: The Nett Warrior (NW) system is comprised of a commercial off the shelf End User Device (EUD) based on smart phone technology, an Army-approved tactical radio as the digital data transport mechanism, Radio Power Adapter, Radio Data Adapter, and Centralized Power Source. All components are connected via Government manufactured cabling with quick disconnect connectors. Additional devices can be integrated into the NW base configuration, using the NW hub, USB protocol and the NW-defined interconnect cables. This RFI serves as a market survey for potential solutions for a Soldier Wearable Assured Global Positioning System (A-GPS). The desired solution will act as a stop-gap measure until M-Code GPS development is complete. The desired solution would allow for connection to Army-approved tactical radios, USB host devices and mount directly to the body armor system leveraging the Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLL-E) features. The intent of this survey, which includes a questionnaire, is to understand potential solutions, request innovative ideas, and serve as a basis for a set of technical requirements for the device. Respondents are requested to answer each question based upon the information and requirements presented in this RFI. The Assured Global Positioning System (A-GPS) should consider the following technical requirements: 1. The A-GPS shall support L1/L2 (Threshold) and M-Code (Objective) signals. 2. The A-GPS shall support Anti-Spoofing. 3. The A-GPS shall support Anti-Jamming. 4. The A-GPS shall support Pseudolite signaling (Objective). 5. The A-GPS shall support Red and Black Over-the-Air (OTAR) Keying. 6. The A-GPS shall provide an upgrade strategy to support M-Code signaling. 7. The A-GPS shall support navigation in GPS-Denied environments. 8. The A-GPS shall have an integrated antenna. 9. The A-GPS shall provide a connector for external antenna(s). 10. The A-GPS shall be capable of mounting to Soldiers Body Armor. 11. The A-GPS shall provide a USB input/output connector. 12. The A-GPS shall support NEMA and/or IS-GPS-153D or higher. 13. The A-GPS shall provide a 1PPS input/output connector. 14. The A-GPS shall integrate with Android Devices. 15. The A-GPS form-factor shall be suitable for Dismounted Soldiers. 16. The A-GPS shall be ruggidized to support Dismounted Operations. 17. The A-GPS shall weigh no more than 5 ounces. 18. The A-GPS shall support manual Crypto Keying. 19. The A-GPS shall be Plug and Play. Design: The size, weight, power, cost, and reliability and important factors 1. Describe in detail your proposed solution for providing an Assured Global Positioning System which meets the requirements described in this RFI. Describe each solution (to include pictures and/or drawings) proposed and its effectiveness in meeting the desired requirements and capabilities. 2. Define the expected size, weight, reliability and conformance to operating environment requirements of your solution. Note: It is important that size and weight be minimized. 3. The proposed solution must be based on available components. In order to provide the proposed capabilities, describe what modifications, if any, are required for adaptation. 4. Specify any additional features/functionalities (not detailed in the RFI) that are recommended for inclusion in the product. Cost: 1. Provide an estimated unit cost for the proposed solution. The procurement quantities may range from 300 to 4,000 in the first year followed by approximately 2,500 units per year with a total quantity of approximately 12,000 units through 2021. Identify production quantity break points that achieve economy of scale. 2. Identify any licensing / royalty fees associated with your proposed solution. Are there any additional costs? Schedule: As currently envisioned, as part of a subsequent request for proposal (RFP) process, the Government may request vendors to submit a detailed electrical schematic and conceptual mechanical design. The planned effort may include a short developmental effort to finalize the design and qualify the components to technical requirements before production begins. Once the contract is awarded, 30 first article units would need to be delivered to the Government within three (3) months of contract award. Once a production decision is made, initial production quantities (few hundred) would be needed within three (3) months by the Government. Specify any concerns with meeting these types of milestones that impact the overall schedule. If any of these milestones cannot be met, suggest alternatives for completing them. Experience/Qualification: 1. Describe your organization's qualifications and experience regarding supplying components similar to an Assured Global Positioning System. 2. Discuss your ability to maintain schedule (i.e. on time) and stay within budget, all while meeting the necessary requirements. Production Capability: What is the manufacturing capability and experience of your company or team to supply a product of this type with this production volume? Other: 1. Are there any requirements listed in this RFI that seem unreasonable or difficult to meet? 2. What requirements / information would need to be added to a resultant Request for Proposal (RFP) to help develop an accurate proposal? 3. Any suggested NAICS code and rationale for this effort? Upon Government review of all vendor submissions, there may be a need for further questions. If so, the Government will contact each vendor, on an individual one-on-one basis, and ask the follow-on questions as required. Data submitted in response to this RFI may be utilized to develop and document a formal RFP. To prevent inadvertent disclosure in the RFP technical package, vendor responses shall clearly mark individual data elements that are considered proprietary in nature. The submitted responses and data will be reviewed by the NW technical team which consists of both Government and embedded support contractor personnel. Responses and technical questions should be provided via electronic submission to Contract Specialist, Sherri Gattuso at sherri.a.gattuso2.ctr@mail.mil no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Wednesday, 23 November 2016. Telephone requests for additional information will not be honored. This is a market survey requesting information only. The submission of this information is for planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to procure any items/services, or for the Government to pay for the information received. The U.S. Government implies no intention or opportunity to acquire funding to support current or future production efforts. If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date, a solicitation notice will be published. No award will be made as a result of this market survey. All information is to be submitted at no cost or obligation to the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any private sector input as a result of the market survey. The U.S. Government is not obligated to notify respondents of the results of this survey. Any documentation provided will not be returned. This RFI is issued in accordance with FAR 15.201.